Simmons Speaks at Anti-Book Banning Event, Celebrates Transgender Awareness Week, Hosts Senior Fraud Prevention Event, and more

General Updates from Senator Mike Simmons

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a glorious whirlwind of a few weeks. I am back in the district after the veto session, and continue to be out in the district meeting constituents where they’re at. Read on for a recap of the fall veto session and highlights from some noteworthy recent community meetings.

It continues to be a huge privilege and honor of a lifetime to serve our district as your state Senator, lifting up our people across the far north side and fighting for their rights and livelihoods. Thank you. Or as we say in Amharic, “Ameseh Ghenalou!”

Sincerely,

Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District

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Legislative Updates

Important Updates from Veto Session

Caption: Senator Mike Simmons addresses colleagues on the Senate floor in Springfield.

The General Assembly returned to Springfield this month to take up legislation vetoed by the governor. Below are a few key updates.

Nuclear energy moratorium ends

Currently, Illinois has 11 nuclear power reactors operating at six sites, which collectively produce about half of the state’s electricity. Out of a sense of concern, I voted against House Bill 2473, which was in response to the governor’s veto of legislation to lift the moratorium on nuclear energy in Illinois. We need to prioritize safety and environmental concerns and think more critically about long-term solutions, rather than quick fixes with long-term consequences. House Bill 2473 passed both houses and heads to the governor for further consideration.

Karina’s Bill

Thank you to the countless number of you who have written and called me urging support for Karina’s Bill, desperately needed legislation that is rooted in the safety of survivors and victims of domestic violence. Named after Karina Gonzalez, a survivor of domestic violence who was fatally shot by her husband along with her daughter this past summer in Chicago, “Karina’s Bill” would require judges to issue a seizure order along with orders of protection, while also mandating that law enforcement serve those orders and seize weapons from a domestic abuser within 48 hours. I am a strong supporter of Karina’s Bill, and released a statement urging support of Senate Bill 2633 to protect survivors of domestic violence from guns. I hope to see this survivor-first policy pushed through to the legislative finish line ASAP.

Read more …

Simmons honors transgender siblings in recognition of Transgender Awareness Week

CHICAGO – As the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the Illinois Senate, and the third openly gay, Black state senator in the nation, State Senator Mike Simmons raises awareness of the issues his transgender siblings face within the community and honors their experiences during Transgender Awareness Week.

“Transgender Awareness Week is about celebrating, uplifting, and honoring our trans community, while also rejecting hateful rhetoric through education and creating awareness about who transgender people are,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Through sharing stories, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence, we push inclusivity forward and combat transphobia in Illinois.”

As an ally and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Simmons is committed to ensuring that members of the LGBTQ+ community feel seen, heard and respected, and are positively represented throughout the state and across the country. He has spoken out against attacks against the LGBTQ+ community on the local and national level, secured passage of and co-led numerous bills protecting LGBTQ+ communities, and has been known to aggressively push back against transphobic comments used in floor debate on the Senate floor.

Legislation championed by Simmons includes House Bill 1591 to protect marriage equality, Senate Bill 2133 to create more access to gender-affirming care in Illinois, Senate Bill 689 to preserve LGBTQ+ stories barring book banning, and House Bill 1596 to increase inclusivity of gendered language in pre-existing state laws and initiatives.

“Trans rights are human rights,” said Simmons. “I don’t take my responsibility as the first openly and only LGBTQ+ person in the Senate lightly, and will use this privilege as an elected leader to continue to be a voice for our trans community.”

 

View Simmon's full remarks in honor and recongnition of Transgender Awareness Week below.

 

Simmons advocates in support of Karina’s Bill

CHICAGO – In response to legislation filed in honor of Karina Gonzalez, a survivor of domestic violence who was fatally shot along with her daughter, State Senator Mike Simmons released the following statement urging support of Senate Bill 2633 to protect domestic violence survivors from guns:

“I am committed to working with my colleagues to see Karina’s Bill through the legislative process. Karina’s Bill will clarify and add language to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and Firearm Restraining Order Act to allow for firearm removal earlier in the process of domestic violence orders of protection. This bill will prevent further violence, save lives and empower law enforcement to grant more protection to survivors of domestic violence. Illinois lawmakers have the responsibility to take action to prevent tragic situations like Karina’s from occurring.

“This spring, I championed House Bill 3414 to protect survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking following actions they committed in self-defense, and I remain a strong advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sensible gun laws. Karina's Bill will strengthen our laws to ensure law enforcement immediately removes firearms from the home in dangerous domestic violence situations.

“I want to thank the countless constituents of the 7th District who have called and written to my office calling for support of Karina’s Bill. Access to guns is often the difference between life and death for survivors of domestic violence, and Karina’s Bill is a sensible solution that will save lives. We must work collaboratively to move this legislation forward.”

Simmons attends Obama Foundation Democracy Forum

CHICAGO – State Senator Mike Simmons recently attended former President Barack Obama’s democracy forum to discuss the many challenges facing democracy offering creative solutions to build stronger democratic cultures.

“If we want to strengthen democracy, we also have to think about the economy,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “We need to talk about what inclusive capitalism means and how that looks in building healthy and sustainable communities that make up for past and ongoing economic injustices.”

At the forum, Simmons joined hundreds of global changemakers, tech leaders, business titans and a few surprise guests exploring solutions to expand and strengthen democracy across the state and on a global scale.

As an advocate and champion for social justice, Simmons recognizes the connection between structural racism and Illinois’ financial systems. He has fought for economic reform through increased wages for homecare workers, policy tools to reduce poverty and provide economic stimulus, and increased access to childcare to support strong, local economies. Additionally, Simmons supported the Illinois Equal Pay Act and the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act, paving the way for economic reform in economically disadvantaged communities.

“This forum renewed my sense of hope because it invited us all to reimagine our economic futures in light of very real challenges to our democracy,” said Simmons. “For democracy to exist and be in reach for every individual, we have to retool it so that everyone can participate on their own terms while reckoning and redeeming decades of economic wrongs.”